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Method and apparatus for an on-line building registry and organizer

Method and apparatus for an on-line building registry and organizer description/claims

The present invention generally relates to the construction field. More specifically, the invention relates to method and apparatus for an automated building construction projects registry and construction building organizer.

The approaches described in this section could be pursued, but are not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated herein, the approaches described in this section are not prior art by inclusion to the claims in this application and are not admitted prior art by the inclusion in this section.

With improving technologies in telephone communication, television broadcasting, and the Internet marketplace, many new concepts have been created in the areas of the construction industry.

Trends will continue to be dictated by advancements in technology. The difficulty in using the internet for an industry such as the construction industry arises from the many complex issues that arise during any project and any phase of any project. Some websites, for example in U.S. Pat. No. 7,096,223 to Cope describes a method of matching buyers and sellers to improve cost efficiency. This cost efficiency is achieved through what is like a bidding process, where the buyer displays on-line the quantities of a material he wants and a price they are willing to pay. A seller then has the option of accepting the offer.

Another problem with building construction sites is that they are mainly designed for the professional. An owner builder, individual, beginning contractor or even an experienced contractor who would like to see the rating of a professional does not have a one-stop shopping site.

Herein the difficulties lie; there is no ability for performance reporting of professionals. The inability of an individual or a beginning contractor or even an experienced contractor who would like to be able to go to a site where professionals have been registered and rated is lacking. In addition, in most cases most individuals or beginning contractors—even some experienced contractors—are not aware of the complex nature of organizing a construction project. In addition, a person may be granted a certificate course in building management through using this site and completing the required forms. This invention fills needs described above.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram that depicts an example system for automated data collection and analysis according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart that depicts a process for registering a project and/or a professional according to the invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart that depicts a process for organizing building data according to the invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram that illustrates a computer system upon which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented.

A method and apparatus for automated data collection and analysis is described. In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention.

Embodiments are described herein according to the following outline:

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